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August 9, 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes

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August 9, 2018 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, August 9, 2018, at 7:31 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor 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. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • Chief Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Asst. Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman Stachnik was 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, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ron Reinke
8949 S. 87th Avenue
Hickory Hills

Mr. Reinke thanked the Aldermen and Council for the sewer improvements in his area. He also mentioned he noticed 3 rats on his property near St. Patricia Church. Public Works Director Lehr did go out to the property and noticed high grass.
The City reached out to St. Patricia and they cut the high grass down. Hopefully this will help with this problem. He thanked everyone for their quick efforts.

At this time, Mayor Howley stated he had heard rumors that the Tollway was moving and the City was closing the Hickory Hills Community Center. This is not true. Mayor Howley noted Illinois Tollway has held two public meetings to announce the tollway expansion. A few residents may be affected but they have been notified. The City is not aware of the City losing any property.

Elaine Erickson
Parkview Apartment Resident

Mrs. Erickson voiced her concern that the tollway will move the wall 15 to 20 feet closer to the fence. She wanted to know if the City knows of these plans. Mayor Howley stated they still have existing easement that could move the wall and they have that right. She asked if there will be a sound barrier. Building Commissioner Moirano stated he has talked with the Tollway, he was assured the wall will be replaced with a better soundproofing material.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of July 26, 2018 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, aye. Alderman Zimmerman pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the 2018 appointments for approval. Below is a list of these appointments;

2018 APPOINTMENTS

City Attorney & City Prosecutor Vincent Cainkar
City Engineer Michael Spolar
(Robinson Engineering, Ltd.)
Chief of Police Al Vodicka
Building Commissioner John Moirano
Director of Public Works Sue Lehr
City Collector D’Lorah Catizone
ESDA Director Christopher Knights
Elevator Inspector Dave Rotermund
(Thompson Elevator)
Plumbing Inspector David Tavares
Electrical Inspector William Fritz
Fire Inspector Battalion Chief Don Huenecke
Building Inspector Ed Mack
Sprinkler Inspector James Groark
HVAC Inspector James Manuzak

Zoning Board of Appeals (7 Year Term)
Ken Klimasz 05/01/16 – 04/30/25

Auxiliary Police Officers (1 Year Term)
Betty Soprych, Valentine Zilinskas, Arthur Ventura
Anthony Falzone, Jr., Steve Makropoulos, Brian Trapp
John Bracha, Edvinas Gaidomavicius, Anthony Falzone, Sr.
Michael Mallon, Brian Mendygral

Police Pension Board (2 year Term)
Open – 04/30/20

Board of Fire & Police (3 Year Term)
Ken Fonte 06/12/03 – 04/30/21

Hearing Officer (1 Year Term)
Arthur Wrobel 05/01/14 – 04/30/19

Community Affairs Commission (3 Year Term)
Joann Jerantowski 04/28/94 – 04/30/21
Mary Boettcher 03/27/97 – 04/30/21

Human Rights Commission (3 Year Term)
D’Lorah Catizone 05/01/12 – 04/30/21

Alderman Waight moved to approve the above list of 2018 appointments. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

School Dist. Agreement – Mayor Howley presented the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Hickory Hills and North Palos School District 117 for the purpose of holding the 5K Run/Race. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the agreement with North Palos School District 117. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked all involved in the luncheon for retiring Public Works Director Larry Boettcher.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the deadline for newsletter articles is September 10th.

Clerk Catizone noted boxing for the Troops will take place on Tuesday, August 21st at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone reported the next Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, August 26th at the Hickory Hills Community Center from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Clerk Catizone announced the Secretary of State Mobile Driver Services will be at City Hall on Tuesday, September 18th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Residents can renew their driver’s license or purchase vehicle stickers.

Clerk Catizone mentioned the Clerk’s Office has started working on plans for the upcoming 5K Race/Run.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Schramm presented the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2018 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated July 31, 2018. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 18-12 – Attorney Vince Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-12, an ordinance adopting the 2018 International Building Code, 2018 Residential Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code, 2018 Illinois Plumbing Code, 2018 International Fire Code, Chicago Electrical Code and the Illinois Energy Conservation Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #18-12. Alderman Waight second. Attorney Cainkar noted this ordinance would bring all our codes up to date. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Res. 18-4 – Attorney Cainkar presented Resolution #18-04, a resolution authorizing disposal by public auction/sale of personal property owned by the City of Hickory Hills. Alderman Waight moved to approve Resolution #18-04. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1805-01 from Austin Tyler Construction for work done on the 87th Avenue Storm Sewer Improvements (pay estimate #2, final) in the amount of $5,780.12. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Invoice #1805-01 in the amount of $5,780.12 to Austin Tyler Construction. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1800075.1 (pay estimate #1, partial) to D Construction for work done on the 2018 MFT Street Resurfacing in the amount of $231,000.99. Alderman McHugh moved to approve payment to D Construction for Invoice #1800075.1 in the amount of $231,000.99. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of August, 2018 in the amount of $399,814.08. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki reported he is meeting with the health insurance brokers this week and will have a quote for the next meeting. He is also meeting the following week with representatives regarding the City’s property casualty and workman’s comp. insurance.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik was absent. No report submitted.

Chief Vodicka updated the City Council on the recent update on the murder investigation. The suspect is currently in the Cook County Jail with no bond.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Public Works Director Sue Lehr reported she has talked with the company replacing the traffic mast arms at 95th Street and Roberts Road for IDOT. She noted school will be starting soon and they have left the corners in disrepair of months. The company responded that they should have the work complete in the next three weeks. She also requested they check the corners to make them safe for children crossing.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported a few apartments are available at Parkview for rent.

Alderman McHugh noted City Hall parking lot will be repaved on Friday, August 10th.

Alderman McHugh stated he was aware of some residents would be attending the meeting regarding the Tollway expansion.

Alderman McHugh introduced the driveway replacement discussion. He noted some have slipped through and do not have paved driveways. He would like to see at the time of a home sale they would be told the driveway ordinance (5.27 (b). After a lengthy discussion, Attorney Cainkar will investigate language changes to this ordinance.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she is reviewing catalogs for additional holiday decorations. She distributed pictures of what she is considering purchasing.

Alderman Ferrero voiced her concern with the shopping carts at the apartments on 85th Court. She noted this is quite the problem. Public Works also noted they are returning shopping carts to the stores. After some discussion, the police will send letters to the owners of the apartments and store managers and make them aware of this problem.

Kman/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting Adjourned at 8:11 p.m.