October 25, 2018 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 25, 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, October 25, 2018, at 7:30 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
    J. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, M. Cainkar
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • Police Chief, A. Vodicka
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

Alderman McHugh was 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ms. Lois Lang
7804 W. 89th Place Apt. 2E

Ms. Lang was present to inquire as to the meaning of the letter she received from the City of Hickory Hills’ lawyer. She is requesting her grandson be allowed to help her from time to time and to assist when she moves. Mayor Howley noted he will speak with our attorney and Alderman Mike McHugh regarding this issue.

CLOSE TO PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 11, 2018 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Finding of Fact – Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for the proposed resubdivision of the 87th Street Plaza located at 8857 W. 87th Street. He noted a public meeting was held on October 22, 2018 at which time the petitioner requested the resubdivision of three (3) out lots. These parcels which they are requesting to be resubdivided for commercial/retail purposes. It was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals with a 6 aye and 0 nay vote and recommended to the Council for approval. All comments made by various City reviewers will be included in this Finding of Fact. No objections were noted at this time. Alderman Kman moved to approve this Finding of Fact for the property located at 8857 W. 87th Street for the resubdivision of three (3) out lots. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Safe Route to School Grant – Mayor Howley stated the City of Hickory Hills has applied for a Safe Route to School Grant in order to have a sidewalk constructed at Dorn Primary School located at 7840 W. 92nd Street. The estimated cost of this project is $112,996.07. The City would provide full funding necessary for this project, and upon completion, the City will be reimbursed through the grant.
Mayor Howley will keep the Council informed on this project.

PT Ordinance Officer Appointment – Mayor Howley presented the appointments of two (2) part-time ordinance officers, Mrs. Ingrid McNeff and Mr. Ken Fonte. No objections were noted.

At Your Door Services Contractual Increase – Mayor Howley noted per our contract with Waste Management, the monthly fee for the “At Your Door Services Collection” service is scheduled to increase by 3% as of January 1, 2019 (from $1.29 to $1.33).

Mayor Howley requested a motion to go into Executive Session at the end of this meeting to discuss pending litigation.

Community Meal – Mayor Howley announced the free community dinner will be held on November 13th at the Community Center from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reminded the Council that the next Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be on Sunday November 4th at the Community Center.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #18-14, an ordinance amending Chapter 15, retail food stores, food service establishments and food dealers, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This ordinance implements the required changes to be in compliance with the State provisions. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #18-14. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 18-15 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #8-15, an ordinance amending Section 24.07, fences, of Chapter 24, building code, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code.

After a lengthy discussion, Alderman Kman moved to approve Ordinance #18-15 with a change in section (g), removing “Mayor” and adding City Council shall render a final decision. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Szeszycki nay. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar recommended payment of Invoice #21777 from AC Pavement Striping Company for work done on the 2018 MFT Microsurfacing Project (pay estimate #1, partial) in the amount of $92,914.75. Alderman Waight moved to approve payment of $92,914.75 to AC Pavement Striping Company. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #200058 from Michels Pipe Services for work done on the 85th Avenue Storm Sewer Lining (pay estimate #2, final) in the amount of $18,291.81. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve Invoice #200058 in the amount of $18,291.81 to Michels Pipe Services. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of October 2018 in the amount of $119,197.56. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed the Video Gaming Revenues to the Council. He noted the numbers are steady.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Al Vodicka read into the record his letter of resignation effective December 1, 2018. He thanked the two Mayors he served under as Chief of Police. They allowed him to do his job and supported him in his leadership decisions. He also thanked the Council for their support throughout his last forty-two years of service to the City he calls home.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported at the last Council Meeting Public Works distributed the proposed street renovation program for 2019. Public Works has received no concerns regarding this proposal. Public Works will turn this street program over to Robinson Engineering to investigate existing conditions and prepare the bid for early spring.

Ms. Lehr noted Public Works has sent out four (4) requests for proposals to remove 18 trees including grinding the stumps and an additional twenty-one (21) stumps to be ground from trees removed by Public Works. Work will be completed by December 15th. The lowest proposal received was from AM Tree Service in the amount of $7,400.00. Public Works recommends approving a purchase order for this company. No objections were noted.

Ms. Lehr proposed the hiring of Greg Reninger, who has experience as a seasonal worker and he has assisted in asphalt repairs, tree trimming, concrete flat work and landscaping. Public Works recommends entering the standard probationary period for Mr. Reninger who would be starting out at Grade E Utility Operator/Laborer at 80% of the wage scale. No concerns were noted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh was absent. No report submitted.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of September, 2018 4,600 pounds of e-recycling was collected.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero announced the upcoming event dates; November 20th at 6:30 the City will hold the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. December 8th will be the Children’s Christmas Party at Kruger Park from 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. and on December 11th will be the Lights of Hickory Hills Contest at 6:30 p.m. No need to register, just put your holiday lights on at this time.

Kman/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Howley reported the 5K Run/Walk had 33 sponsors and 296 participants.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Executive Session – Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:51 p.m.