October 22, 2020 City Council Meeting Minutes

October 22, 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 22, 2020 at 7:32 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
    B. Fonte
    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 Purtill 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 Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

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

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

Alderman Waight moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of October 8, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Fonte pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley announced the City will hold a scaled back Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone reported after a court ruling the State has left it up to municipalities if they choose to close on Election Day, November 3rd. The City Hall will close on Election Day. No objections were noted.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka presented the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2020 for approval. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated September 30, 2020. Alderman Kman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Treasurer Vodicka reported the auditing group, Azavar has analyzed the data sourced from the Illinois Department of Revenue in regard City of Hickory Hills taxpayers who were miscoded to remit to other jurisdictions in the database of the State. Azavar determined that there were no addresses incorrectly codes.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

No report submitted.

COMMUNICATIONS

BILLS PAYABLE

Alderman Kman moved to approve the bills payable for the second half of October 2020 in the amount of $432,618.57. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

No report submitted.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Director Lehr noted at the last Council Meeting, Public Works distributed to the Council the proposed street renovation program for 2021. Public Works has received no concerns regarding this program and will prepare the bid for Spring. On a related subject, Director Lehr noted the City has received the first of the Motor Fuel Tax increase that started in July, 2020. The check was $20,000.00 for one month. If this is consistent, the City will be able to increase rehabilitation dollars in the coming years.

Director Lehr gave an update on the Roberts Road project and expressed the City’s concerns about the progress of this project.

Director Lehr proudly announced that Public Works has installed the last commercial meters in a City-wide meter change out program. She noted the staggered change out and install saved the City an estimated $500,000.00.

Director Lehr reported the pollination project on 91st Place and 92nd Street has started with the foundation being completed today.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported there are two vacancies 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 was absent. No report submitted.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

Alderman Fonte reported for the month of September, 2020 Waste Management At Your Door Services collected 5,573 pounds of e-recycling with 48 stops.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported a new event is planned on Tuesday, December 1st which will include the Tree Lighting Ceremony and some other surprises for the first 30 cars that register.

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,  Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye.  So approved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m.