May 14, 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, May 14, 2020 at 7:31 p.m. on a conference call. Clerk Catizone was present in the council chambers recording the meeting.
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.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Mayor Howley noted no comments/questions were received from the public through email or telephone.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of April 23, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley reported he is in receipt of a request from Xando, Inc. They would like to erect a temporary tent in the parking lot when businesses are allowed to reopen. A memo was distributed to the Council with drawings. The Mall owner has agreed to his request. After some discussion, the consensus of the Council was to support this request. The City will wait for additional details to approve this request.
Mayor Howley noted he received a call from the broker of the Sabre Room property. They wanted to notify the City there has been no activity on this property.
Mayor Howley stated the Building Department is in receipt of a request from Ricky Rockets for banners along 95th Street to say, “coming soon”. No objections were noted.
Mayor Howley inquired on the status of the safety windows at City Hall. Building Commissioner Moirano and Alderman McHugh stated the City has received three (3) bids for 2 safety windows at City Hall. The lowest bid was from Arlington Glass Company at $2,750.00. No objections were noted.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported the deadline for newsletter articles is Friday, May 29th.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka reported after meeting with Department Heads, he and Finance Chairman Kman have put together a budget projection memo that was distributed to the Council. He noted there are some effects of the Covid-19 virus on various tax and gaming revenues. There will be a deficit, but he asked the Council to keep in mind that a significant portion of the deficit amount from tax revenues are based upon recommended projections by the Illinois Municipal League. In his opinion, these projected loses may actually be somewhat lower due to their being based on generalities of all municipalities in the State.
They do not reflect the tax make up of our City. With regards to the water rate increase of approximately $0.15, this will be absorbed by the City. Next year, when numbers become more clear increases will be revisited. It is the recommendation to absorb this increase due to the potential financial hardships on our residents created from the impact of the virus. There was discussion on how the budget would move forward. It was the consensus of the Council to have Treasurer Vodicka complete the budget and send via email to the City Council. He noted if the Council had any concerns or questions to please contact him or Alderman Kman.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar presented Invoice #3339 from Riccio Construction Company for work completed on the 97th Place Water Main Improvements in the amount of $206,937.00. Alderman Waight moved to approve Invoice #3339 in the amount of $206,937.00 to Riccio Construction. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, Purtill, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Spolar stated a bid letting was held on May 11, 2020 for the 2020 Crack Sealing Program (MFT 20-00000-02-GM). The list of bidders is as follows:
(As Read) (corrected)
Denier, Inc. $23,571.00 $23,751.00
Patriot Pavement Maintenance, Inc. $25,193.70
SKC Construction, Inc. $25,893.00
The Engineer’s estimate cost for this project was $34,650.00. Therefore, Mr. Spolar is recommending awarding the contract to Denier, Inc. for the bid amount of $23,751.00. Alderman McHugh moved to award contract to Denier, Inc. for the 2020 Crack Sealing Program in the amount of $23,751.00. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Mr. Spolar updated the Council on Equestrian Ridge.
The developer, E. T. Mansell is going to pay for the roads to be repaved and he is putting down a thicker asphalt. He noted the streets were in pretty bad shape.
COMMUNICATIONS
BILLS PAYABLE
Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of May 2020 in the amount of $391,196.91. Alderman Waight second. Alderman Waight questioned a charge of $300.00 to Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home. Chief Hobart explained this charge is for removal of a deceased body. This happens only when there is no family member. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman reported Clover Gardens Center will be opening tomorrow. They were having some issues with accepting credit cards that is now resolved.
Stachnik/Public Safety
Chief Hobart gave an update on his departments’ with the regards to Covid-19. He noted they are busy at the station with behind the scenes police work.
Chief Hobart reported he is working on a memo to have out next week with new revenue opportunities.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Ms. Lehr reported last week Public Works’ Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer ceased operating. The system was based on a designated computer inside the Public Works office and the software package had not been updated in ten years. This system allows for monitoring, in the office and off- site, of our potable water stations and sanitary pump stations. It also alerts us to alarms that needed to be addressed. This system is essential for proactive responses rather than reactive. Prior to this breakdown, Public Works had investigated upgrading to an off-site hosted cloud version of the SCADA.
The cloud based system allows for included software upgrades and support for a monthly fee of $65.00. Public Works had planned on presenting this $24,000.00 item at the budget meeting. This would be split between the Water Fund and Sewer Fund operating budgets. Ms. Lehr is requesting approval of this item, so we can get our control and monitoring system back up and running for $24,000.00.
Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the purchase of new SCADA cloud base system and software update with a cost of $24,000.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Ms. Lehr reported the Public Works fuel site controller also worked off the computer that ceased working. The fuel system site controller worked through this computer by hyper terminal data transfer and was antiquated. This controller allows us to issue fuel cards, manage accounts, run reports and we used this information to create our invoices. The company does not support our previous version or equipment anymore. For a new site controller, software and labor to get us up and running again it is a cost of approximately $8,000.00. This would be spread over three departments. It must be noted that the Public Works department has maintained and purchased all equipment necessary to run our “gas station” over the past 30 years. No maintenance fees have ever been passed onto the other departments, the Park District or Roberts Park during their time of use. At this time, we can still dispense fuel but cannot manage the users/reports/usage. Ms. Lehr is requesting approval to purchase a fuel site controller and software for the cost of approximately $8,044.00. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the purchase of a fuel site controller and software for a cost of $8,044.00. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported he has had the hallways, common areas and basements of all the Parkview Apartments deep cleaned. Rainbow International, a company located in Hickory Hills, offered this free service to the City. He also mentioned that there are no vacancies as of today.
Building Commissioner Moirano mentioned that the new car wash at 87th Street and 88th Avenue is removing their construction, fence as they are working on the landscaping and will open soon.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
No report submitted.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
Alderman Fonte reported Waste Management’s “At Your Door” recycling collected 2,124 pounds with 23 stops for the month of April, 2020.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
Alderman Ferrero reported the students have turned in the Arbor Day Coloring Contest sheets. The City usually recognizes the winners at the Arbor Day Tree Sale. Since this event was cancelled the certificates will be distributed by the Hickory Hills Police Department.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
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 8:31 p.m.