January 9, 2020 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 9, 2020 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.
Lights of Hickory Winners
Mayor Howley recognized the following winners of the “Lights of Hickory Hills” contest.
1st Ward – 1st Place 2nd Ward – 1st Place
8819 S. 79th Avenue 9101 S. 83rd Court
(present at meeting)
3rd Ward – 1st Place 4th Ward – 1st Place
8848 W. 92nd Place 8143 W. 89th Place
1st Ward – 2nd Place 2nd Ward – 2nd Place
9318 S. 78th Court 9225 S. 86th Court
3rd Ward – 2nd Place 4th Ward – 2nd Place
9125 W. 92nd Place 8708 S. 82nd Place
(present at meeting)
Winners present were given a token of appreciation.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Stachnik moved to open the meeting to the public.
Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Al Schumacher
9420 S. 85th Court 2N
Ms. Diane Brown
9420 S. 85th Court 2
The above residents are tenants from 9420 and 9428 S. 85th Court. They would like to voice their complaints about their landlord not properly maintaining this building. They have made repeated requests about burned out lights in the parking lot and in hallways and the lack of smoke detectors and inferior windows. Mayor Howley explained that the City’s code enforcement officer and the building department will do a walkthrough of this building.
Mrs. G. Doyle
9400 S. 85th Avenue
Mrs. Doyle questioned why she needed a permit for replacing the boiler in her home. The Mayor explained the permitting process and its purpose. The Building Commissioner will review this permit and contact Mrs. Doyle. Mrs. Doyle also mentioned a sewer issue she is having and the Public Works Department asked if she could have her plumber contact them with a televised report of her sewer line.
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, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman McHugh moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of December 12, 2019 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley presented a letter from the City of Palos Hills Community Resource and Recreation Department requesting the 2020 financial support of $12,894.18 for the P.A.T.S.E. Bus Service. Mayor Howley noted 1,626 rides and 34 riders were residents of Hickory Hills. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the support of $12,894.18 to the P.A.T.S.E. Bus Service. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mayor Howley reported he attended the Sertoma Dinner on Tuesday evening at Mama Luigi’s. He noted they had a very nice group for this dinner.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported she is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia Parish to place signs on various streets announcing their open house. No objections were noted.
Clerk Catizone announced “Packing for the Troops” will take place on Tuesday, January 21st at the Hickory Hills Community Center at 6:00 p.m.
CITY TREASURER
No report submitted.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
No report submitted.
Mr. Spolar wished everyone a Happy New Year.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of January 2020 in the amount of $279,408.34. Alderman Stachnik second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Alderman Kman announced the total for the bills payable for the second half of December, 2019 was $419,208.01.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
No report submitted.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Hobart reported a Police squad was in an accident and a replacement sedan will be purchased with police forfeiture funds.
Mayor Howley thanked Police Chief Hobart for his recent assistance even though he was on vacation at the time.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported Public Works has retro-fitted the antique street lights on Roberts Road to an LED fixture for cost savings and reduced maintenance. The existing Sternberg light head remains the same traditional look but re-wired to accommodate a 4000 lumens LED bulb with a three-year warranty.
Ms. Lehr noted the Prairie Pond storm water station’s 10HP pump has ceased working. When operational, this pump runs 24 hours a day to keep the level regulated and cut down on electrical costs to run the larger pumps. She has contacted Gasvoda & Associates as they have a specialty lift truck that is needed to pull the pump for inspection.
They have informed Public Works that the pump will need repairs that would cost more than a new pump. The proposed cost for a new pump is $12,600 which includes money for initial labor, old pump inspection, new pump and installation. Monies originally budgeted for storm station cabinet improvements will be re-routed to cover partial costs of this unexpected failure.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
No report submitted.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented one business certificate application for AAA Homecare Services located at 9701 S. 78th Avenue, Suite 100. This is a business office who assists elderly in their homes. No objections were noted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte distributed a graph for the 2019 recycling which included pounds recycled and percentages. He noted this is still a vital service to our residents.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
Alderman Waight reported the Hills Chamber will be hosting a luncheon on January 16th at Xando’s. He noted Chief Hobart will be the speaker for this event.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn the meeting until the next regular or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.