October 8, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 8, 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, October 8, 2020 at 7:34 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
    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

Alderman Fonte was absent. There being a quorum, 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, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mrs. Cecilia Connelly
7812 W. 99th Street

Mrs. Connelly voiced her concerns on the speeding traffic on 99th Street. Also, a resident of Palos Hills was present to voice her concern too. Chief Hobart stated this is a reoccurring problem and he has taken some steps to curb the truck traffic on this street.

He will monitor this situation and be in contact with Mrs. Connelly.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of September 24, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley noted most cities around Hickory Hills are still planning on having trick/treating hours for Halloween. After some discussion, the Council agreed on the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. For those residents not wanting to participate there will be printable signs available on the City’s website.

RES. 20-04 – Mayor Howley presented Resolution #20-04, a resolution authorizing the disposal by public auction/sale of personal property owned by the City of Hickory Hills. This resolution allows for the sale of a pick-up truck by Public Works. Alderman Stachnik moved to approve Resolution #20-04. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone presented the Cook County Intergovernmental Agreement for the health inspections. The price will not change from the $100.00 per inspection. Alderman Waight moved to approve the one-year Cook County Intergovernmental Agreement for Health Inspections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Clerk Catizone announced early voting will begin on Monday, October 19th. The nearest early voting site to Hickory Hills is the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Clerk Catizone reported the next Hickory Hills Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, November 1st at the Community Center.

Clerk Catizone noted the Council should be in receipt of her email outlining the procedures to complete the sexual harassment training that needs to be completed by the end of the year.

CITY TREASURER

No report submitted.

CITY ATTORNEY

Attorney Cainkar presented Ordinance #20-16, an ordinance approving the Hajnos Resubdivision for the property located at 8750 S. 80th Court, Hickory Hills. This was approved at the last Council meeting. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve Ordinance #20-16. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar reported a bid opening was held on Monday, October 5, 2020 for the 99th Street Lift Station Improvements. The list of bidders are as follows:

Contractor (Bid Amount)
Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. ($281,171.00)

The Engineer’s estimate of cost for this project was $302,500.00. The project followed all protocols regarding advertising and notification periods. Plans and specifications were requested by six (6) qualified contractors and only one submitted a bid. Mr. Spolar is recommending awarding the contract to Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. for the bid amount of two hundred eight-one thousand one hundred seventy-one dollars and zero cents ($281,171.00). Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve the awarding of the contract for the 99th Street Lift Station Improvements to Steve Spiess Construction in the amount of $281,171.00. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the first half of October 2020 in the amount of $289,004.36. Alderman McHugh second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, 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

Director Lehr distributed to the Council the proposed street program for 2021. Public Works proposed to use the estimated $500,000.00 MFT Fund for a mile and half of resurfacing. If anyone has any concerns, please contact her.

Director Lehr reported Public Works has sent out request for proposals to remove sixteen (16) trees including grinding the stumps in addition to fourteen (14) stumps to be ground from trees removed by Public Works. This work will be completed by November 30th. The lowest proposal received was from AM Tree Service in the amount of $8,420.00. This work will begin if there are no concerns. No objections were noted.

Director Lehr noted she has been working with Ordinance Officer Jim Lizzio and the management company of the shopping center at 95th and Roberts Road.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported there is one vacancy at Parkview Apartments.

Alderman McHugh noted he is currently working on arrangements on an alternative option for the Community Dinner in November. More details will follow.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill is in receipt of a business license request that was tabled due to a parking issue at the location. This is a handyman business at 9525 S. 79th Avenue. The Building Commissioner and Alderman Purtill will visit this location on Monday, October 12th. This is tabled until the next meeting.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte was absent. No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported she has met with the Park District and they are not in favor of holding the Children’s Christmas Party.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Howley extended his thoughts and prayers to Alderman Brian Fonte’s brother, Kevin, who is very ill.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.