January 14, 2021 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 14, 2021 at 7:33 p.m. by telephone conference and Clerk Catizone 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 telephone meeting was called to order.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to open the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Stachnik, Purtill, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
No one had sent comments to the City Clerk.
CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC
Alderman Waight moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS
Alderman Stachnik moved to approve the minutes of the regularly scheduled meeting of December 10, 2020 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Kman, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS
MAYOR
Mayor Howley is in receipt of a request from the City of Palos Hills for the City’s 2020 contribution to the PATSE Bus Service. He noted 1,397 rides were given to Hickory Hills residents out of the total of 3,084 rides in 2020. Alderman McHugh moved to approve $13,495.05 to the City of Palos Hills for the PATSE Bus Service. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
CITY CLERK
Clerk Catizone reported that City Hall’s lighting has been updated with LED lighting through a Commonwealth Edison program.
CITY TREASURER
Treasurer Vodicka distributed a memo regarding Waste Management’s contract increase being absorbed by the City.
He noted the City absorbed the $.76 increase for the months of June, July and August and again in September, October and November. This was due to the financial impact of Covid on our residents. After some discussion, Council agreed to absorb the increase for March, April and May of 2021.
CITY ATTORNEY
No report submitted.
CITY ENGINEER
Mr. Spolar presented Resolution #21-01, a resolution appropriating the sum of one hundred one thousand one hundred forty-five dollars and eighty-one cents ($101,145.81) of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provisions of Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. Alderman Fonte moved to approve Resolution #21-01 for MFT Funds in the amount of $101,145.81. Alderman Ferrero second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, 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 January 2021 in the amount of $951,528.89. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
For the record, the amount of the bills payable for the second half of December 2020 was $266,520.95.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Kman/Finance
Alderman Kman updated the Council on video gaming revenues. For 2019 the total collected was approximately $297k and for 2020 the total was $202k.
The decrease was caused by the video gaming machines being turned off due to the pandemic.
Stachnik/Public Safety
No report submitted.
Zimmerman/Public Works
Director Lehr reported the City has been approved for the Tree City USA Growth Award.
She also noted the City has received its 25th year as Tree City USA. Director Lehr noted the City has submitted a grant application for the 2020 Urban Forestry.
McHugh/Bldg./Facilities
Alderman McHugh reported there are 4 vacancies at Parkview Apartments.
Purtill/Laws & Ordinances
Alderman Purtill presented two businesses for approval. 1) 1 Million Fashion located at 8037 W. 87th Street. This is a retail clothing store. 2) Pizza Castle located at 7717 W. 95th Street. This is a family style pizza No objections were noted on these two applications.
Fonte/Health & Environmental Control
No report submitted.
Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory
No report submitted.
Waight/Chamber Business Development
No report submitted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Building Commissioner Moirano reported he has issued building permits for DaBat, Hickory Hills, a new business located on 99th Street.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderman Ferrero moved to adjourn this meeting until the next scheduled or specially called meeting. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.