January 24, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes

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January 24, 2019 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,
January 24, 2019 at 7:32 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. Stachnik
    J. Szeszycki
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, S. Marciano
  • City Attorney, B. Attard
  • City Treasurer, D. Schramm
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • Police Chief, C. Hobart
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr
  • Building Commissioner, J. Moirano

There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

POLICE OFFICER

SWEARING IN – Chief Hobart introduced Ricardo Brambila before Police Commissioner Ken Fonte swore him in as a Police Officer to the Hickory Hills Police Department. His wife had the honor of pinning his badge on him, and then Father Moll gave a blessing.

Mayor Howley noted with no one in the audience there was no need to open to the public.

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 10, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Waight, pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Resolution #19-01 – Mayor Howley presented Resolution #19-01; IDOT Permit to work: A Resolution for Construction on State Highway. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution 19-01. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

PATSE Bus – Mayor Howley reported he is in receipt of a letter from Palos Hills requesting annual financial support to the PATSE Bus Service in the amount of $11,076.48. This represents 1,566 rides for 25 residents of Hickory Hills. Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve this financial support of $11,076.48 to Palos Hills for the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Hills Baseball/Softball Association – Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request for support of the Hills Baseball/Softball Association in the amount of $250.00. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve a $250.00 from the discretionary fund for the sponsorship to the Hills Baseball/Softball Association. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Conservation Convention at Stagg H/S – Mayor Howley reported that he attended a Conservation Convention at Stagg High School and was very impressed. It was well attended and had many interesting vendors. He was also impressed that is was organized by just 1 student, Peter Gordan. There were over 60 volunteers. The mayor suggested that Alderman Ferrero contact Peter for help with the Arbor Day celebration.

CITY CLERK

No report submitted.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #19-02. Resolution for Maintenance. Resolution #19-02 is for resurfacing and mirco-resurfacing in the amount of $440,000.00. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #19-02 in the amount of $440,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #21777 in the amount of $4,890.25 from AC Pavement Striping Company for Project #18-R018.02. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #21777 in the amount of $4,890.25 to AC Pavement Striping Company. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Lastly, Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #1800075.2 in the amount of $26,745.24 to D Construction for MFT Resurfacing. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #1800075.2 in the amount of $26,745.24 to D Construction. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Szeszycki moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of January 2019 in the amount of $220,525.52. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Szeszycki, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Szeszycki/Finance

Alderman Szeszycki distributed the video gaming report for 2018, showing the year’s total as $272,481.00. This is $25,000.00 over what they had budgeted for in the year 2018.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Alderman Stachnik gave the council the Police Department’s Quarterly Productivity Report for October thru December 2018.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr reported that Public Works confirmed with Cook County that the Roberts Road reconstruction will not affect the street fair this year. The county’s design engineer stated that the project will be let in the fall of 2019 with construction not starting until 2020.

Ms. Lehr let the council know that Public Works has submitted an application for an incentive to ComEd to change out 188 high pressure sodium lights to LED fixtures. The Public Works department will do the labor. The estimate of material for this is $62,000.00, but after the incentive is applied the cost to the city is $30,000.00. The street lights to be changed are located on: 87th Street, 88th Avenue, Kean Avenue and 95th Street west of 88th Avenue. When all is said and done, it should cut the energy cost by 1/3.

Sue Lehr along with Charles Hobart are working together to send out a Code Red announcement to Residents for Friday morning (01/25) regarding extreme temperatures.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Commissioner Moirano reported that Bill Fritz, the City’s electrical inspector, will be unable to work for 5-6 weeks for medical reasons. Former electrical Inspector Richard Stiegal, will fill in. Council had no objections.

Waight/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted, but Alderman Waight reminded everyone that there is a blood drive on Sunday January 27th at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported recycling totals for December 2018 were: 33 stops for a total of 3,327 lbs.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

No report submitted.

Kman/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn 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 8:17 p.m.