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February 13, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

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February 13, 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, February 13, 2020 at 7:35 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
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, V. Cainkar
  • City Engineer, M. Spolar
  • City Treasurer, A. Vodicka
  • Lt. Police, M. Benaitis
  • Public Works Director, S. Lehr

Alderman Zimmerman, Police Chief Charles Hobart and John Moirano were absent. There being a quorum present, the meeting was called to order.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

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

Matt Byrk
Jennifer Mayo

Mr. Byrk and Mrs. Mayo introduced themselves as the new owners of Lack and Sons Funeral Home.

Mrs. Mayo noted they have been in business for 25 years in a neighboring town and are happy to be in Hickory Hills. Mr. Byrk invited the council to stop in and see the improvements that have been done so far. Mayor Howley welcomed them to the City.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC


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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of January 23, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley presented the Finding of Fact for a setback variance (2 feet 5 inches) for the property located at 8844 Hillside Drive, Hickory Hills. A public meeting was held on January 20, 2020 for this petition by Mr. John Damme. Mr. Damme is requesting a two car garage be built where currently is a single garage. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved this with a vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays and 2 absent. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the Finding of Fact for a 2 ft. 5 in. side yard variance on the property located at 8844 Hillside, Hickory Hills. Alderman Purtill second. No questions or discussion. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from St. Patricia Parish for a temporary liquor license to hold their annual Ladies Bunco Night on February 21st. Alderman McHugh moved to approve a temporary liquor license with fees waived for St. Patricia’s Ladies Bunco Night on February 21st. Alderman Waight second.

Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the Hills Baseball/Softball Association for a 2020 donation request. Alderman Waight moved to approve a $250.00 donation to the Hills Baseball/Softball Assoc. from the Discretionary Fund. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the City hosted the Census Bureau this week. At this time, they are looking for people to fill open positions. The Clerk’s office will pass on Census information as it becomes available.

Clerk Catizone reported she has submitted a list of our City’s names of people required to file a statement of economic interest. She asked the Council to look for these forms in their email.

Clerk Catizone noted boxing for the troops will take place on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone personally welcomed the new owners, Matt Byrk and Jen Mayo of the Lack and Sons Funeral Home.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2020 for approval. Alderman Kman moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated January 31, 2020. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance 20-01, an ordinance amending Chapter 33, Motor Fuel Tax, of the Hickory Hills Municipal Code. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance #20-1, adding a $0.03 cent motor fuel tax. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Waight aye. Aldermen Ferrero and Stachnik nay. So approved.

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #20-02, an ordinance approving the Lynch resubdivision for the property located at 9642 S. 78th Court, Hickory Hills, IL. The Finding of Fact for this property was approved at the last Council meeting. Alderman McHugh moved to approve Ordinance $20-02, an ordinance approving a resubdivision of 9642 S. 78th Court, Hickory Hills. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported a bid opening was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 for the 97th Place Water Main Improvements and a tabulation of the bids are as follows:

Riccio Constructions $257,794.00
Suburban General Const. $298,526.60
J. Condon & Sons $331,388.00
Mauro Sewer Const. Co. $334,834.00
H. Linden & Sons Seer and Water $353,210.00
Unique Plumbing $366,570.00
Airy’s Inc. $379,978.00

The Engineer’s estimate of cost for this project was $257,730.00. Therefore, he is recommending awarding of the contract to Riccio Construction for the bid amount of Two Hundred Fifty-Seven Thousand Seven Hundred Ninety-Four Dollars and Zero cents ($257,794.00). Alderman Ferrero moved to award the contract for the 97th Place Water Main Improvement Project to Riccio Construction Company for the amount of $257,794.00. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

Mr. Spolar noted an application will be submitted tomorrow to the MWRD for the storm sewer project in the Blue Ridge subdivision. More details to follow on this project.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of February 2020 in the amount of $624,064.28. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr distributed to the Council a tree pruning section map. Public Works has sent out a request for proposal for sectional tree pruning for approximately 450 trees. Public Works has the understanding that sectional tree trimming receives a better unit price than individual streets. This is a pilot program. Several streets in each ward were chosen, criteria included street location, mature tree count, tree diameter and street design. The proposals were acquired to obtain unit pricing. AM Tree Service was the lowest proposal of $22,796.00. The work must be completed by April 15th. This is a budget item and Public Works will issue a purchase order for this work unless there are any concerns. No objections were noted.

Ms. Lehr proudly announced Hickory Hills has once again been approved as a Tree City USA for the activities of 2019. The City is in their 24th year of this designation.

Ms. Lehr distributed a crack sealing map to the Council. Public Works proposes to use an estimated $40,000.00 MFT Funds for preservation crack sealing. She asked that the Council contact her with any concerns about the street choices. This is a pilot program. If no concerns are raised this will be passed to Robinson Engineering to go out for bid. No concerns were noted at this time.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh noted there is one apartment vacancy at Parkview Apartments.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported Street Fair planning is under way with a possible car show being added. Discussion on the types of beer to be sold. Further discussions will take place in the month ahead.

Alderman Ferrero noted she is also asking vendors to the Arbor Day on Saturday, May 2nd similar to who was there last year.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

Alderman Waight reported the Hills Chamber is hosting a business after hours networking on February 25th at 104th and Roberts Road.

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 aye. So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.