April 8, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes

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April 8, 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, April 8, 2021 at 7:30 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
    S. Zimmerman
  • City Clerk, D. Catizone
  • City Attorney, B. Attard
  • 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

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

No one spoke during this portion of the meeting.

CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC

Alderman Stachnik moved to close the meeting to the public. Alderman Ferrero 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 March 25, 2021 as printed subject to deletions or corrections. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, McHugh, Kman, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. Alderman Purtill pass. So approved.

REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS

MAYOR

Mayor Howley mentioned at the last meeting a donation to the Hickory Hills Park District National Nite Out Event. Alderman Zimmerman moved to approve a $500.00 donation to the Hickory Hills Park District Event. Alderman Fonte second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

Mayor Howley read into the record an Arbor Day Proclamation. This proclaims Saturday, May 1st as Arbor Day. Alderman Waight moved to approve this Arbor Day Proclamation. Alderman Purtill second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY CLERK

Clerk Catizone announced the Council’s Statements of Economic Interest Forms are due to Cook County by May 1, 2021.

Clerk Catizone reminded the Council the next Blood Drive will be held on Sunday, April 11th at the Community Center from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Clerk Catizone noted the swearing in of the newly elected officials will be held on May 13th.

Clerk Catizone reported Jewel will have their outside greenhouse open by the end of April.
No objections were noted.

Clerk Catizone is seeking approval of a donation to a full time radio operator who recently had a house fire. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve a donation of $1,000.00. Alderman Fonte second. These funds will come out of the City’s Discretionary Fund. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

CITY TREASURER

Treasurer Vodicka reported he met with City Clerk Catizone, Finance Chair Alderman Kman and Financial Administrator Mary McDonald to review the 2022 budget. He will be meeting with the Police Department and the Public Works Department in the next few weeks.

CITY ATTORNEY

No report submitted.

CITY ENGINEER

Mr. Spolar presented an invoice to Steve Spiess Construction Inc. for work done on the 99th Street Lift Station Improvements, Pay Request #1 (partial) in the amount of $129,018.37. Alderman Ferrero moved to approve the invoice to Steve Spiess Construction, Inc. in the amount of $129,018.37. Alderman Kman 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 April 2021 in the amount of $515,029.94. Alderman Waight second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Kman/Finance

No report submitted.

Stachnik/Public Safety

Chief Hobart thanked the Council for their generosity in giving a donation to the employee who recently had a fire in their home.

Zimmerman/Public Works

Ms. Lehr reported Public Works is looking to repair their vertical rise, platform scissor lift. The approximate price to repair is $25,697.00. This will be an onsite retrofit and replacement of controls and cylinders. Alderman McHugh moved to approve the repair the lift at a cost of $25,697.00. Alderman Zimmerman second. Roll call: Aldermen Ferrero, Fonte, Kman, McHugh, Purtill, Stachnik, Waight, Zimmerman aye. So approved.

McHugh/Bldg./Facilities

Alderman McHugh reported all is running smoothly at Parkview Apartments.

Purtill/Laws & Ordinances

Alderman Purtill reported he is in receipt of five (5) business license applications. 1) Elevate located at 8847 W. 87th Street. His is a beauty supply store with a salon opening at a later date. 2) Aladdin Palace located at 8721 W. 87th Street will reopen after being closed. 3) USA Liquidation located at 8849 W. 87th Street. 4) Amanah Carpentry located at 7750 W. 99th Street. 5) Al-Manara Supermarket located at 8030 W. 87th Street. This is a convenience store with cigarettes. Some discussion followed on what could be sold in a convenience store. The attorney will draft a letter to the owner. No objections were noted on these five (5) applications.

Fonte/Health & Environmental Control

No report submitted.

Ferrero/Community Affairs/Youth Advisory

Alderman Ferrero reported a flyer for the Hickory Hills Food Drive has been created and distributed.

Waight/Chamber Business Development

No report submitted.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh questioned the code on harmonious fences. No changes at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

Alderman McHugh requested an item be placed on the next meeting agenda for a building inspector. This will be added to the agenda for April 22, 2021.

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 8:03 p.m.