October 10, 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, October 10, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Howley lead 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
P. Purtill
J. Stachnik
S. Zimmerman - City Clerk, D. Catizone
- City Attorney, M. Cainkar
- City Engineer, M. Spolar
- City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
- Police Chief, C. Hobart
- Public Works Director, S. Lehr
- Building Commissioner, J. Moirano
Alderman Waight was absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.
Police Recognitions
Chief Charles Hobart distributed recognition pins of 25 years of service to Officer Scott Sodaro and Radio Operator Rocco Marciano (not present), Mrs. Sharon Marciano was present to accept service pin. Chief Hobart also recognized Lt. Tim Stevens on his retirement. A small reception followed.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public.
Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Frank Scelfo
8540 W. 92nd Street
Mr. Scelfo is seeking assistance with a coyote on his property. He noted the coyote seems to have taken residence in his backyard and he doesn’t know how to handle this problem. He has called several people for assistance but would like to know if the City has any ideas. Mayor Howley asked Chief Hobart to look into this matter and investigate any options for removal of this coyote.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Ferrero moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 26, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented Resolution #19-10, a resolution that accepts, approves and adopts Volume 1, Countywide Mitigation Action in Volume 2, of the 2019 Cook County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Resolution #19-10. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley acknowledged that today, October 10th is Mental Health Day. He noted a resolution on this issue was passed earlier this year.
Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia’s Church for a temporary liquor license to hold a “Spirits of the Season” event, on Saturday, November 2nd in the Parish Center.
Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license for St. Patricia’s Parish on November 2, 2019 with fees waived. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley noted the Council Meetings for the second week of November and December will be cancelled due to the holidays. Alderman Purtill moved to change our Committee and Council meetings to November 14, 2019 and December 12, 2019. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported on October 1st she attended the Community Connections Forum held at Stagg High School. This was a meeting of elected officials and school officials giving highlights of District 230 and sharing all the wonderful programs in District 230.
Clerk Catizone noted on Wednesday, October 2nd, she and Alderman Fonte met with Waste Management representatives to discuss and review our communications between residents and staff to ensure better service to our residents. We also discussed the new recycling information that will be on our City website soon.
Clerk Catizone stated many people are registering for the Howl Through the Hills 5K which will be held on Saturday, October 26th. Currently, there are 194 runners and 9 runners for the new adapted course for students with disabilities that have registered. We have 31 sponsors who have donated over $4,500.00. The goody bags have arrived this morning and we are accepting donations from businesses to fill these bags. Clerk Catizone thanked her staff again for all their work on this event.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-21, an ordinance annexing certain territory to the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Attorney Cainkar explained this is redefining the municipal boundary between the City of Hickory Hills and the Village of Bridgeview in order to provide for a more functional and expedient provision of municipal services through the disconnection and annexation of certain properties located with the Village and the City. This is approximately 25 homes on 93rd Street and 77th Avenue. The addresses will be changed to Hickory Hills for these homes. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #19-21. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ord. 19-22 – Attorney Mike Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-22, an ordinance disconnecting certain territory from the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois. Attorney Cainkar noted this goes along with Ord. 19-21 and redefines the municipal boundaries between the City of Hickory Hills and the Village of Bridgeview in order to provide a more functional and expedient provision of municipal services through disconnection and annexation of certain properties. This is one piece of property that will be annexed to the Village of Bridgeview. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #19-12. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
Alderman McHugh inquired on the status of the 93rd Street rear drainage issue. Ms. Lehr noted Robinson Engineering provided plans to install two catch basin and piping in the rear yards of 8034 and 8028 93rd Street to assist with drainage issues.
Robinson and Public Works has reviewed the bids and are clarifying details and will issue a purchase order on Friday, October 11th for no more than $9,500.00.
If the Council has no objections Public Works will move forward with this project. The project should be completed by year’s end once the property owners sign a hold harmless agreement and agree to retain ownership/maintenance of drain pipe that their houses are on the low end of a large hill. This is not a budgeted item. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the 93rd Street rear drainage project with a cost not to exceed $9,500.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved. Alderman McHugh thanked Public Works and Robinson Engineering for all of their assistance in this matter.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October, 2019 in the amount of $229,520.15. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman noted the City Clerk has printed out a detailed report of the video gaming revenues for this year. The revenues from January 2019 to August 2019 are $198,200.00.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Hobart reported a memo was distributed to the Council outlining the promotions that will help contribute to an effective and efficient organizational structure and is a budgeted expense. This will include the hiring of a Probationary Patrolman, the promotion of an Officer to Sergeant and the promotion of a Sergeant to Lieutenant. Specifically, he is promoting Officer Joseph Clark to the position of Sergeant at the October 24th City Council Meeting. He anticipates the Lieutenant promotion occurring in the near future and the Probationary Officer shortly after. No objections were noted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported Public Works has distributed to the Council the proposed street program for 2020. Public Works proposes to use the estimated $450,000 MFT funds for approximately a quarter mile of resurfacing in each Ward. In addition, Public Works proposes to us $40,000 of those funds for preservation crack sealing of some of the newer streets. Preservation crack sealing will take the place of micro-surfacing next year. If allowed additional funds of $200,000, the alternate streets listed can be included in the resurfacing project. Public Works will seek Council approval at the next meeting in October. This will allow Robinson Engineering adequate time to make a condition survey prior to snowfall. The bid documents can be prepared this winter for advertising in early spring. This timeline has produced positive results from contractors in the past.
Ms. Lehr noted Public Works has received bids from four (4) commercial window contractors for Public Works building window replacement. The lowest bidder that met all RFP requirements was AKC Services Company for $32,230.00. This was a budgeted item at $30,000.00. Public Works will limit their building maintenance line item spending to cover the overage. Public Works will move forward if there are no objections. No objections were noted.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported the Community Dinner will be held on November 12, 2019 at the Community Center. Mr. George Les will be donating the food.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported for the month of September, 2019, the “At Your Door Recycling Service” picked up 3,092 pounds of recycling with 30 stops.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported she has been in discussions with the Hickory Hills Park District regarding upcoming carnival dates and street fair dates. They are in agreement to run the carnival in conjunction with the street fair. This will begin after 2020, due to the Park District’s current carnival contract. Alderman Ferrero is also recommending to have a car show too. Alderman Ferrero noted this would be a good change.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight was absent. No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Exec. Session – Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn into executive session for the purpose of discussing the Radio Operators Contract and pending litigation. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.