September 26, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes

September 26, 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, September 26, 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
    B. Waight
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • 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 Promotion


Chief Charles Hobart introduced Officer Ryan Bajt and gave an overview of his 16 years with the Hickory Hills Police Department. He will be promoted to Sergeant this evening. Police Commissioner Ken Fonte gave the oath of office. Mrs. Alicia Bajt pinned the Sergeant badge onto her husband. A small reception was held at this time.

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, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC


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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 12, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley and the City Council agreed to have “Trick or Treat” hours this year from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Mayor Howley announced St. Patricia’s Church will hold a Guardian Mass for elected officials and first responders on Monday, September 30th at 8:30 a.m.

Mayor Howley noted he and Chief Hobart read to the St. Patricia students on Monday at their Book Fair.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the Stagg High School Athletic Booster Club for a donation to their upcoming fundraiser on October 26, 2019. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve a $100.00 donation from the discretionary fund to the Stagg High School Athletic Booster Club. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley thanked Chief Hobart and Building Commissioner, John Moirano for their assistance to the vacant home which was broken into.

Mayor Howley noted the first Committee meeting after the summer break will be held on Thursday, October 24th at 6:30 p.m.
He stated he will be forwarding information on some of the items that will be discussed.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported the city newsletters will be mailed out on Monday morning.

Clerk Catizone announced the next blood drive will be held on Sunday, November 3rd at the Community Center.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2019 for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated August 31, 2019. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Ord. 19-16 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-16, an ordinance amending Chapter 5, Streets and Sidewalks, Section 5.27, driveways, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. After some discussion, there was general support of this ordinance with some modifications regarding language. Attorney Cainkar reviewed the recommended language changes from the last Council meeting. Alderman Kman moved to approve Ordinance #19-16. Alderman McHugh second. Discussion ensued on the amount of cars on the driveways overnight, amount of driveways and cars parked on driveways with dealer’s plates. It was the consensus of the Council to raise the number to 5 cars to be parked on driveway overnight and one car with dealer’s plates may be parked on the driveway overnight. This ordinance will be revised. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 19-17 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-17, an ordinance amending Chapter 33, occupation and use taxes, by adding Section 33.17, motor fuel tax, to the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. This adds $.03 cents to the Motor Fuel Tax to the City of Hickory Hills. This bill passed last summer by the legislature to allow municipalities to add this tax. All surrounding towns have adopted this tax increase. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #19-17. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.

Ord. 19-18 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-18, authorizing and providing for the issuance of not to exceed $945,000 general obligation limited bonds, Series 2019 of the City of Hickory Hills, Cook County, Illinois and for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds. Attorney Cainkar stated this bond issue was discussed at a public hearing in August. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve Ordinance #19-18. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Ord. 19-19 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-19, an ordinance amending Chapter 33, occupation and use taxes, by adding Section 33.18, cannabis retailers’ occupation tax, to the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Attorney Cainkar noted this enacts a 3% tax on cannabis retailers’. This does not commit the City to issuing a license to anyone or any location. Alderman Waight moved to approve Ordinance #19-19. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Stachnik nay. So approved.

Ord. 19-20 – Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #19-20, an ordinance amending Chapter 24, Building Code, Section 24.12, garages of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Attorney Cainkar noted the last paragraph was added to accommodate the driveway ordinance. Alderman Fonte moved to approve Ordinance #19-20. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported with regards to the Colonial Storm Sewer, the paving is complete and some sod work needs to be completed.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of September, 2019 in the amount of $1,031,549.32. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

No report submitted.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

No report submitted.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported a 5K Race Meeting was held with the staff, the Hills Chamber and the School District to review the events of the race day and Children’s Halloween Party. She noted the Children’s Halloween Party will be very nice this year.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

John Moirano, Building Commissioner, thanked City Engineer, Mike Spolar and Public Works Director, Sue Lehr with their assistance regarding S & M Motor Sports issue on their water retention.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m.